Spotlighters Theatre Presents Charles Ludlam’s STAGE BLOOD, 11/26-12/19

Spotlighters Theatre presents Charles Ludlam's STAGE BLOOD from Friday, November 26 through Sunday, December 19, 2010 with Fri & Sat performances at 8pm, Sun performances at 2pm and one Thursday Performance, Dec 16 at 8pm.

STAGE BLOOD is written by Charles Ludlam and directed by Michael Spellman.

Spotlighters Theatre and director, Michael Spellman, bring a hilarious farce by Charles Ludlam to life at the intimate theatre on Saint Paul Street. Ludlam, entices and intrigues the audience to keep up between the Shakespearean sonnets and his well-placed slapstick humor. Spellman keys on the dynamics of the father-son relationship and real life issues, their ups and downs, both in reality and through the Shakespearean excerpts. Spellman emphasizes that the audience should relax and enjoy the tantalizing mix of comedy with the reality of Shakespeare, all the while taking in a great story. With over 40 years of theatre experience, it's hard to argue with Spellman.

Stage Blood is a zany comedy that tells the story of a family theater troupe and their touring production of Hamlet. The madcap company is taken on a wild ride when alcoholic director Carlton Stone Sr. is found dead during the performance. Carl Sr., the oft-inebriated father, is played by the sidesplitting and vociferous Frank Vince, who praises Ludlam's ingenuity. Vince's love for Ludlam is echoed by his counterpart, Michael Zemarel, who plays Carl Jr. and also loves the bizarre comical infusion of Shakespeare. With Spellman at the helm and these two comical and talented thespians leading the show, Stageblood is a sight to behold!

Among the suspects are his ambitious son, Carl Jr. (Michael Zemarel), the company's frustrated playwright/stage manager who hates everyone, Jenkins (Jeffrey Coleman), and Carl's mother Helga (played by veteran actor, Janise Whelan), who puts too much faith in her ouija board. Will Hamlet shed light on this ridiculous situation? Or will the murderer strike again? Either way, the show must go on!

The Spotlighters production features favorite actors from across Baltimore.

Jeffrey Coleman (Jim Jenkins), just seen in the Baltimore Playwrights Festival new work production, Hammarskjold; and in Cabaret both at Spotlighters.
Richard Peck (Edmund Dundreary), is a staple at theatres across Baltimore, he most recently appeared in The Shadow of Lushaun (BPF) at Fells Point Corner Theatre
April Rejman (Elfie Fey), is making her Spotlighters debut; and was recently Trisha in Five Women Wearing the Same Dress at Mobtown, and as Beck in The Mai at The Strand Theater Company.
Frank Vince (Carlton Stone, Sr.), just closed Twelfth Night at Spotlighters, as Malvolio; and is a veteran of numerous shows across Baltimore.
Janice Whelan (Helga Stone), also from Twelfth Night at Spotlighters, as Maria; is a favorite actor in Baltimore.
Michael Zemarel (Carlton Stone, Jr.) returns to Spotlighters, where he last appeared in Cloud 9 ; most recently he was in Fool for Love at Fells Point Corner Theatre.

First produced in 1975, Stage Blood was the brain child of playwright and actor Charles Ludlam, founder of The Ridiculous Theatrical Company. The Theatre of the Ridiculous was a theatrical movement which often consisted of high and low theatrical forms of the past and present (Shakespeare, opera and film noire, to name a few) and employed a performance style that was based on camp, cheap tricks, cheap theatrics and the grotesque.

One of the main goals of The Ridiculous Theatrical Company was to develop new works that would challenge and distort the modern theater as well as put a new twist on classical forms. Spotlighters and Spellman are hoping that this will be the effect Stage Blood has on the audience in Mount Vernon.

Spotlighters seeks to present a varied menu of theatrical offerings, and it is quite ironic that Shakespeare's Twelfth Night has just closed in mid-November. This production will build on the humor and comedy of Shakespeare's comedy and go one more, taking one of the tragedies and making it into a farce. This show will be a product of actors, designers, and technicians working their creative muscles and having a lot of fun doing so! This show will have the audience in belly laughs and giggles! What more can you expect from a show that has a toilet on-stage!?

Stage Blood will open on Black Friday, November 26, just in time to laugh away all the stress of the busiest shopping day of the year!
There will be one TEN SPOT THURSDAY performance on Thursday, December 16 at 8:00pm. ALL TICKETS just $10 on Ten Spot Thursday at Spotlighters.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $16 for students.

This play contains some adult language and themes.

Order online at www.spotlighters.org. For more information, call (410) 752-1225.
Tickets: $20 adults / $18 seniors / $16 students

Order online at www.spotlighters.org